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SUBLIME SACRIFICE 

A WAR DRAMA 




ROBERTS 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE SUBLIME SACRIFICE 
A DRAMA OF THE GREAT WAR 



THE SUBLIME SACRIFICE 

A DRAMA OF THE GREAT WAR 



A TRAGEDY IN THREE ACTS WITH PROLOGUE 



BY 

CHARLES V. H. ROBERTS 



Oh! Spirit of Sorrow, with such majestic certainty 

Dost thou come in on all things human; 

Thy august angel hei&re the compact of 

Our ]i£k was signed, breathed &r o^ in star-dust. 



THE TORCH PRESS 
NEW YORK AND CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 

LONDON: 12-13, HENRIETTA STREET 

COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 

1917 



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COPYRIGHT 1917 

CHARLES V. H. ROBERTS 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

JUNE 




THE WILLIAM HARVEY MINER COMPANY. INC. 
SAINT LOUIS — LONDON 



JUN 21 1917 

©OIA470086 



^-^ 



i 



L 



To the Memory of 

My Father 
Frank M. Roberts 



The marhjrdom of the English nurse, Edith Cavell, stands fcrth pre- 
eminently as a tragedy which cemnot be overlooked. 
This drama, fcunded largely on &cts, is an attempt to preserve the 
local color. 

C. V. H. R. 



PROLOGUE 

CAST OF IMMORTALS 

Satan The King of Hell 

Beelzebub Next in Power to Satan 

Moloch The Fiend of War 

The Spirit of Nero 
The Spirit of Attila 
The Spirit of Bismarck 
The Spirit of Richard III 

Devils, Servants, Menials to the Court of Satan, 
Warriors, etc. 



PROLOGUE 

The Great War is conceived by Satan. 
Scene : 

Within Pandemonium, the huge palace of the arch- 
fiend. Dark and grim, spirit shapes and shades are 
seen entering a low opening to the left. 
They prostrate themselves first before Satan, who 
sits on the throne in all his terrible majesty, then 
stand in debate. 

The Spirits of Nero, Attila, Bismarck, and other 
notables, warriors, devils, menials, are glimpsed 
among the throng. 

Satan. 

Bid you welcome here, my noble Fiends 
And Elements, from near and far, so that 
Our learned talk may be extended. 

Beelzebub. 

Hail, 
Mighty Satan! Ruler of Hell and all 
In Primal Night! 

Satan. 

My Spirit Presences 
And all you Minds conceived so grand 
and fair, 



lO The Sublime Sacrifice 

Embroiled my course to winged assault 

pursues! 
A Thunder plan doth flame within my 

soul, 
At which Tri-named, Tri-featured God 

may well 
A-tremble. 

Moloch. 

That and other questions we 
Would hear — new spell from out thine 

ancient might, 
Fathomed deep in great consistency. 

Satan. 

My wits be certain — up there upon the 

Earth, 
Has Civilization lasted long enough. 
While are we no nearer to the Infinite. 
Intolerable, even Sloth in Hell; 
Our inaction must be shaken up! 

Moloch. 

Nature retains her veil. Despite our 

work 
Is Christ enthroned within her sanctu- 
aries. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 1 1 

Consort, and champion fierce, the Reign 

of Peace! 
Lie we, ill-starred, seduced and unwise. 

Nero. 

A Matricide, free-souled am I to speak. 

And worthy of this great captivity. 

I used to write good verse and music, 

Fiends, 
And played my part for Hell while there 

on earth. 
I hate the Cross congratulating Rome, 
And did my best to stamp its breeders out ; 
From Palatine hatched terrors kin to 

these. [Applause~\ 

Let's scan a resurrection from this grave! 
Break the Hymns of Heaven into discord ! 
Notes of vengeance on its saintly scales! 

\^More applause~\ 

Beelzebub. 

Fat thy deeds, but lean in victims here. 

Satan. 

My plan ill suits the Artist-God and 

Proud, 
For our rebuffs let Europe make amends. 



12 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Those countries Christian, but there's one, 

Oh! Moloch 
Pursues thy clouds of War, and is in 

wakeful 
Preparation now. Instinct with fire 
And fury filled — his engines and his 

crafts 
To be but touched by our Allegiance; 
Thus Christ, and Justice, temples, pious 

cities, 
All unaware — are quickly tumbled 

down. 
The wails of women, priests, and flutter- 
ing pinions, 
Pity, Love, and all such kindred follies 
Will burn in ruddy flame, beneath this 

bannered 
Host. 
Attila. 

Master, how I greet thy words! 
To Chalons-plain again send me. The 

world 
By massacre, as well should soon be 

ended; 
And in the lees of infants' blood be 

drowned. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 13 

Chorus of Devils. 

Aye — Aye — let him go forth — let him 
go forth! 

Richard {limping up towards the throne of 
Satan) . 

Assured and right speaks this eccentric 

Hun. 
The stock is rare and easily collected. 
In foul proportion let me take a part, 
My memory gloats within conspiracies. 

Beelzebub. 

No shop on Earth is better for our task, 

Forthwith to all our ends, than Hun-be- 
gotten 

Prussia; his artilleries attuning — glow- 
ing, 

Ripe to strike our haughty Adversary. 

Satan (calling Bismarck from the throng). 
Bismarck! Thou art more recently fa- 
miliar. 
What hast thou to say? I stood behind 

thee 
In thy former war, and when thou camest 
To this infernal Place — I saw thy 
Sanguinary work, there well established. 



14 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Bismarck. 

Satan — I dream not in the thirst for 
blood; 

Nor zest acute, or wish that war return. 

I would not have my country thus in- 
volved. 

I see thy Motive and thy Prophecy! 

For Time one reaps in all Eternity. 

[^Hisses^ 

Unconfirmed, Prussia is prepared for 
war; 

In that alone am I responsible. 

Such preparation best upholds for peace; 

True for all the world and all mankind. 

For conquest further, I will not be part. 

Though loud and fierce in blame, thy hate 
may be. 

Satan {with grinning malice). 

Say, fool, is this thy gratitude? 

Bismarck {calmly). 

No, — not 
At all. I see the circling splendor of 
My work, as I do see the ruin there 
Combined — this hostile evil thou wouldst 
hatch. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 15 

My one regret to shame, my plans do give 
To thee such scope, to reek this wider 

carnage. 
For that alone thou shouldst be very 

thankful. [^Hisses'] 

Satan {rising from the throne in supreme 
anger) . 

And for it true I am — and through it 

thou 
Shalt suffer, demi-god 'gainst this, my 

greatest 
Thrust. Back! thou seemest as if thou 

hadst 
Some claim upon Celestial Virtue. Trust 

not 
Ambitious Shade, my war on Heaven may 
Be vain, but there on Earth I will be 

sceptred 
King. Upon thy boasted work, build up 

my throne. 

{To Attila] 

Attila! Armed thou here with Hell- 
flames — Go! 

With wiles and thy resistless ways, be- 
numb 



1 6 The Sublime Sacrifice ' 

The reason of that Prussian dynasty. 

\Glaring and pointing his sceptre at Bismarck\ 

Worse of all destroyed will be their ends! 

[^Glancing maliciously towards Richard^ 

As well the temper of those British swine, 
Distinct to prosper like by force or fraud, 
And crazed to colonizing all the Earth. 
An Isle of stubborn brood, but well ar- 
rayed 
In sovereignty's conceit and boasted bark. 
To guile and sway the oceans for our 
work. 

{^Addressing himself to all^ 

Hear my decree and solemn domination! 
We in Hell shall now be those supreme. 
In conscience lies the engine of all deeds; 
Our conscience high advanced is now to 

War. 
Ambition burns 1 Our hatred of mankind. 
In sharp compulsion, spread our flames 

of malice! 
Let Chaos intervolve without remorse! 
On everything that's mortal, turn thy 

wrath. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 17 

Slaughter babes, cathedrals batter down! 
Rape mothers, daughters, both — beneath 
the moon! 

Rise, Massacre, Passion, Madness, Force, 

and Fury! 
If not a final victory over Heaven, 
On Earth shall we reek Frightfulness un- 
known ! 

[fFiU and tumultuous din of applause 
throughout Pandemonium'] 

CURTAIN 



DRAMATIS PERSONAE 

Lady Vernon Wife of the late Sir Charles Vernon 

,, I Her Daughters 

Margaret J 

Sir John Steele Capt. R. J. F.j betrothed to Edith 

General Karl von Hofen. . . .Commander of German 

Army in Flanders 
Captain Frederick Harrach . . With von Hofen s Staff 
Baron Freiderick Von der Achen. . . .Military Gov- 
ernor of Brussels 

The Baroness His Wife 

The American Minister to Belgium 
The Spanish Minister to Belgium 

Lieutenant Horst With Von Hofen s Staff 

Raghab Steele's Egyptian Attendant 

SuSANNE Lady Vernon s French Maid 

A German Orderly. . In charge of English Officers held 

prisoner with Von Hofen s Army 
An Aide to Baron Von der Achen 
A Chaplain 

Soldiers, Stretcher Bearers, Orderlies, 

Trench Diggers, Servants, etc., etc. 

V^arriors, etc. 



ACT I 



ACT I 

Time — June, 191 5. Place — London. 

Late in the evening. 

Scene : 

Boudoir in the apartment of the Vernons, overlook- 
ing street, where the marching of soldiers on their 
way to embark for the continent is heard almost 
continuously. The living-room is handsomely fur- 
nished, A balcony slightly to the left overlooks the 
street. Prominent in the room is an old arm chair 
and large portrait of Sir Charles Vernon, killed a 
year ago in action. 

[The telephone rings. Enter SuSANNE] 

SUSANNE. 

Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! The telephone 

again ! 
A lump comes in my throat for news from 

France. 

[As she picks up the receiver^ 
We know not what these rings may have 

in store. 
Hello ! Non ! He is not here ! Soon — 

oui! yes! 



24 The Sublime Sacrifice 

{Enter LaDY VerNON] 

Lady Vernon. 

Is there any news, Susanne? Quick — 
tell me! 

Susanne. 

A call for Monsieur John, Madame — 

no message! 
He 'phoned before he would be here at 

nine. [Exit SuSANNE] 

[Enter MARGARET] 

Margaret. 

I must do something for my country, 
mother. 

Lady Vernon {sitting in the arm chair). 
This arm chair of your father's — ah, my 

sorrow 
Is not eased! 

Margaret. 

Almost a year. 

Lady Vernon. 

My child. 
You cannot feel as I, what we have lost. 

[Glancing at her husband^s portrait^ 



The Sublime Sacrifice 25 

So bravely on the Marne, his debt for 

freedom 
Paid the Christian world. Charles! 

Charles! 

Margaret. 

Glory and the marching hosts of war. 

Lady Vernon. 

Yet, 
Bleeding conquerors — entangled death. 
Our dull expectancy and deep alarms. 
To wait and wait, these empty endless 

years! 
'Tis fearful to be helpless. As in a desert 
Lost, I seem in this old home. A diadem 
Infernal — this strife that serves the hates 

of Kings! 
Faint, Margaret, is your mother's smile 

these days. 
When England is imperiled to hold her 

liberty. 
Call upon one's friends, — to hear of 

death ; 
Hoping for those, who ne'er shall come 

again. 



26 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Margaret {seriously). 

Our public peril must crush our private 
grief. 

Lady Vernon. 

Flown, nobler sharers in the human mind. 

Margaret. 

Luxury must abdicate its reign. 

Lady Vernon. 

No topic ever talked but war. Adown 
Alas, does heaven look with coldest eyes, 
O'er fierce uncertainty and dreadful fear; 
The twilight of my life seems burnt in 
flame. 

Margaret. 

Our tangling gold with India's webs 
against the foe, 

Australia, France, and Russia now pre- 
pared, 

The Prussian's foot tramps not on glory 
long. 

Lady Vernon. 

To-morrow, we will hear some truth and 

then — 
Nothing remains — nothing remains, but 
war. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 27 

[Enter EdITH] 

Edith {with enthusiasm), 

I am going, mother — 'tis my duty there, 
To nurse the soldiers — greater legacy, 
A sequel, solemn fitting for our loss. 

Lady Vernon. 

You're still a child, my Edith, — sprung 

from the arms 
Of England's chivalry. 

Edith. 

Twenty-two. 

Lady Vernon. 

Four months in lack of that. 

Margaret. 

I too, should go. 

Edith. 

My oath is ratified, though strange the 

pains 
That wring around my heart to leave you 

here. 

Lady Vernon {bitterly). 

Love and sentiment dissolve and vanish. 

Edith {looking out of the window — regi- 



28 The Sublime Sacrifice 

merit seen marching in the street below. 
Band plays ^'Tipperary'^) . 

Oh! My bravest Tommies, to raging 

hills in France! 
The open plains beneath the open sky, 
In waking wonder to the battle cry! 
O'er there the grander joy, of aiding you. 
All my efforts cherished for that end. 

Lady Vernon (passionately). 

Children! Children! Pity me, — No! 

No! 
My husband dead, shall I be childless 

too? 
You are innocent as yet of this great life. 
It's borne on me, sorrow, love and fear. 

Edith. 

Are these wrists too feeble for such work? 
Margaret. 

The name of woman always so despised! 
Edith. 

My country bleeding, — why should I, 
here be 

Surrounded with such loving care? 

My father died — 'tis not untimely fallen 
me. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 29 

Margaret. 

Right, Edith. Adorn our griefs with 

tending those 
In pain. That's the womans' share! 

Edith. 

Think of Paris last September; 

Those days of agony before the Marnel 

All unaware, the while, the world test — 

\^She sits down at the piano improvis- 
ing and singing a sonnet in low reci- 
tative tones^ 

"An unaccustomed silence overhung. 
The maddening beauty of that summer 

night. 
Paris, all shadowy, showed no gleaming 

light. 
But calm in darkness lay. High from 

among 
Nebulous clouds, we watched with sad 

delight 
The goddess of the moon emerge, all 

young 
And golden; careless of those hearts so 

wrung, 



30 The Sublime Sacrifice 

By terrible uncertitude. The sight 
Superb and splendid of the heavens, 

strung 
With innumerable stars, limpid, benign, 
Was mirrored on the Seine's placidity. 
And lighted mystically the curving line 
Of shadowed arches. The while, rhyth- 
mically 
Your heart throbbed infinite tragedy to 
mine." 

Lady Vernon. 

The world is still a nursery for you, girls. 

Edith. 

Poor Belgium — the tramping, broken, 
wounded, trenches, dying! 

Margaret. 

There one gains a crown of deathless 
flame. 

Lady Vernon. 

See your father in that great last charge — 

Edith. 

That brought new life into the world, 
For Joflfre and his legions. Before that 
cup 



The Sublime Sacrifice 31 

Of Death — o'er-whelming sea — retreat 
from Mons. 

Lady Vernon {very sorrowfully). 

Yet the sacrifice. Oh! my husband, 
Obedient, faithful, loyal to our king. 

[^Wiping the tears from her eyes^ 

That upturned face amid the dimness — 

coming stars, 
Your passion spent — so noble in the 

cold — 
The funeral here — a twilight lane, and 

then we back to sterner things. 

Margaret. 

'Tis so. 
Aloud for sacrifices more — occasion 

cries! 
True life is one continuous sacrifice. 

Edith. 

Did God find any other way but Calvary? 
Let us, mother, match our loyalties! 

[Enter SiR JOHN STEELE] 

Lady Vernon {greeting him). 
Why, here is John! 



32 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Sir John. 

Pardon — so serious? 
To sigh is almost treason in these times. 
Great, sweet ladies, — at last I have my 

orders! 
To-night, we embark for the continent; 

there 
To the front and thrills unknown. 

Edith. 

Oh! My beloved! 

Sir John {kissing Edith, then turning to 

Margaret) . 
Where we forget — our passioning veins 

in fire. 
Somewhere in France or Belgium, Mar- 
garet. 

[^arcastically'\ 

"Contemptible little English Army." 
Ha! 

Unnumbered sparks true fixed in resolu- 
tion. 

Edith. 

Avenge Louvain, — the Lusitania! 
Some men are flesh and blood and honor 
still. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 33 

Sir John. 

To battle now in blazed battalions! 

In bleeding ancient high heroic France! 

God's skies o'er-look our great offensive. 

Edith {to her mother). 
It's glorious! 

Margaret {to Sir John). 

Through that casement there below, 
We see you passing down the street. 

Edith. 

England! 
With your blood — heroic savor o'er the 

fields, 
Give me taste — I'm following him. 

Lady Vernon {bitterly). 

Cheerful words to comfort my dark 

hours. 
Oh! Civilization, why dost thou reel 

and crash? 
Thy world a-tumbling down in thunder. 
Where is thy Christ, thy Diadem of man? 
All fiery flints, a-whizzing in the air. 
Affections swayed to naught but killing — 

death. 



34 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Thy greatest temples — cannons' under- 
lings. 

[Aside to SiR JOHN] 

The girl is mad, John! Try to move her 

thoughts 
In their determination. I have lost that 

faith 
And joy, my children, felt when my world 

was young. 
And I a part. Come, Margaret! 

[Exeunt Lady V. and Mar.] 

Sir John {sitting on the arm of the chair with 

Edith). 

Beloved, my heart's afire for you and 

England! 
To draw one slaughtered Uhlan from out 

the stirrup. 
Farewell to all the earth at once! 

Edith {taking his hand). 

All who ever loved are most unhappy. 
Yet's your life in mine in Love's complet- 

est way. 
Am I to stay? No, — never — never — 

never! 



The Sublime Sacrifice 35 

Sir John. 

Ah! yes, — what was it that your mother 
meant? 

Edith {seriously). 

We cannot marry, soon, — sweeter rites 
For war must now be put aside. 

Sir John {holding her face between his 
hands). 

Darling, 
Each hour — each moment — I love you 

— love you more. 
Forever through all future days of Time. 

Edith {with rising enthusiasm) . 

Near Brussels, I believe my unit's quar- 
tered. 

For me a joy 'twill be, which grief en- 
dears; 

A surged struggle o'er the dying lives. 

In thoughts and acts for all their human 
needs. 

Sir John {intensely). 

Oh! Edith — little child — my future 

wife! 
Let not that business take you hence. 



36 The Sublime Sacrifice 

You must 

Not go! I will not let you go! Those 
scenes, 

Bitter strife — wounded, shrieking, cry- 
ing, dead! 

Edith {positively). 

My call, John, — false reasoning from a 

soldier! 
I'll whisper to those souls in twilight dim, 
God knows, in fact, theyUl need our wo- 
man's care. 

Sir John. 

No English nurse can get to Belgium 
now! 

Edith. 

The Unit which I join's American. 
Fully prepared am I to take this step. 
I know the life is nobler than all life. 

Sir John. 

Beloved, you are transfigured — glori- 
fied! 
I trust your word, for I can see your soul 
Divineth many things, and all are true. 
Supreme in love, — sublime in sacrifice. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 37 

[Enter RagHAB] 

Raghab {handing SiR JOHN several tele- 
grams). 

Master, secret orders — at midnight we 
must leave. 

Sir John {after reading the telegrams). 
Await me at the barracks, Raghab. 

[Exit Raghab, bowing'] 

[To Edith] 

He's a goodly servant, dear, faithful, true. 

In Transvaal twice he saved my life. 

Edith {tenderly), 

John, with all our deeds ahead think now 
These moments here may be our last to- 
gether. 
War or madness, you I have and love. 
And you are all my joy — the rest for- 
gotten. 

[Leading SiR JOHN to the balcony] 

Look out o'er the balcony and breathe 
With me the air. 

Sir John. 

London half sleeping watches 



38 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Us. Ah! Who is there would not all 

things 
Forget with you — soul harmony divine! 

Edith {tearfully). 

I wish our souls could soar away, — our 

loves 
Empassioning bodies in the ages gone 
Rush past me, in this warring air. 
As nuptial tapers flame the Iliad. 
Our anguish now, hath been and yet shall 

be! 

Sir John. 

Happy, Edith, always — always — ! 

Edith. 

Nay! Believe not ere the last day fall. 
I shall go down and be as cold as stone, 
And you will kiss me and I shall not 
know. 

Sir John {passionately). 

Sweet eyes, come close, those jewelled 

drops of dew. 
Whose beauty shines like evening stars 

ablaze; 
Out of this fiery labryrinth of war. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 39 

A thousand days of glory and renown, 
An everlasting music o'er our lives, 
The very crest and summit of our joy. 

Edith {as they enter the room again). 

Many are loved, but few, so few adored! 
My heart — my heart! I'm wretched 

past endurance. 
Which the prospect of my work does not 

afifect. 
No break behind these flaming wreaths 

of mist, 
Where all the fields are sprinkled with 

our dead. 

Sir John. 

Go not, Edith, — you know not half the 
dangers. 

Edith. 

Everything becomes the thing it is. 
In one part more or in another less; 
Uncertainty and love — so close of kin. 
I care not for the dangers, for myself, 
I dread not anything, and yet, — ah! 

Sir John {looking at his watch — seizing and 
kissing Edith passionately). 

Late — farewell! 



40 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Light of my soul, for kisses such as these, 
I cross death's brink. Sweet sapphires 

set in tears. 
Love is first and last and whole beyond 

the end. 

Edith. 

Forever young, forever fair, forever 
Living — strong into eternity. 

Sir John. 

Oh! War, press lightly on that angel 

breast. 
Within the pulsing treasure of my life. 

Edith {passionately). 

Beloved, I worship you — those words 

up-lifting verse. 
To chant the ending of all grievous woe, 
In sunsets gem-like on the passing day. 

Sir John. 

War or peace or death or life, who 
Shall tell us which the sweeter music is. 
When all unite in so grand a harmony. 

[With both hands on her shoulders'] 

Our Lord, Jesus, high in Paradise, 



The Sublime Sacrifice 41 

Look down upon my fragile child and 

guide her 
Noble mission, mid those bleeding souls; 
Their cries, abyss of men and bitter 

deaths. 

[Stroking her brow'] 
Before this gentle face, I plead Thy mercy. 

Edith {clinging to him). 

We learn of love through sorrow; is it so? 

Sir John. 

Grief by grief a rosary told each other. 

Edith. 

In loving you, my deepest thoughts take 

wings. 
Upon the which is every virtue founded. 
Nothing breathes or moves away from 

you. 
This sudden thing has come between us 

two, 
I feel so proud and yet more fit to die. 

Sir John. 

Not sudden, Edith — all predestined 
there. 



42 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Edith. 

Life is like a hill of shifting sands. 

Sir John. 

A sterner summons asketh more of us. 

Edith. 

How great and oh ! how fitting is the time. 

Sir John. 

With nations shaping thus a Europe new. 

Edith. 

The living waves a-wafting on to death. 

Sir John. 

And dizziness bewildering every sea. 

Edith {tearfully). 

Farewell, my darling — kiss me — kiss 

me. Alas! 
Your wife in name to share her husband's 

thought, 
Incorporates his heart, with all her soul. 
Sweet whispered blessings on my brow — 

pray 
For equal safety in your coming days. 
To the end and depth of all I cling to you. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 43 

Sir John. 

Beloved, weUl meet athwart the battle- 
fields. 
Day of double joy — ^til then — farewell! 

[Exit Sir John] 

\_A long pause'] 
[Edith stands in silence near the mantel] 

Edith. 

One cannot be the mistress of herself, 
So much enwrapped — in love with him 

as I. 
No girlish fancy — deepest passion in me, 
Who has never loved before — flood gates 

unbarred. 
The bent up tide engulfs my body, mind 

and soul. 
Gone! The stroke's so sudden as a tomb 
That still was open, falls the heavy stone. 
Our Lady from thy glowing shrine all 

golden. 
Mother of Him Who ruleth all things 

just. 
My lover's fate and mine resigned to thee ! 

[Sudden roaring and tumult and clat- 
ter of horse^s hoofs heard without] 



44 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

That horn — the horses' gallop — discor- 
dant sounds! 

I know them well — the signal — Zeppe- 
lins! 

Hover those demons in the starry air, 

Their plunging beaks to reek night- 
winged murder. 

Mother — Margaret — Susanne — quick- 
ly come! 

{Enter excitedly Lady VerNON and 
Margaret attired in negligee, fol- 
lowed by Susanne. Edith runs 
and looks over the balcony^ 

Yes — the lights are out — the street's in 

utter 
Darkness — 

Lady Vernon. 

Oh! God! What have we done? 

Susanne. 

Decendez — Madame faites vite — c'est 
les Zeppelins! 

Lady Vernon. 

Come! Come! Come! Children! 

[^They rush out of the front door of 



The Sublime Sacrifice 45 

their apartment. Outside continues 
the tumultuous uproar and excite- 
ment created by one of these accus- 
tomed raids} 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 



ACT II 

Time — Autumn, 1915. 
Late on an afternoon. 

Scene: 

A battlefield in Belgium within the German lines. 
Close by is seen a Field Hospital. Battle raging 
and wounded being rushed by continuously. Dis- 
tant roaring and cries heard from the trenches. 
German officers, some sitting, others standing around 
their General. Table covered with several steins, 
papers, telephones, maps, and other paraphernalia. 

[Enter LlEUT. HORST saluting the General^ 

Von Hofen. 
Well? 

Lieutenant. 

The enemy presses hard our right. Those 

English! 
Too well sheltered their artillery. 

Von Hofen. 

Bah! Ten thousand thunders! They 
fawn as hounds. 



50 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

Harrach. 

Gutless dogs, gazetted heroism, 
War ends war! 

[Officers laugh derisively'] 

Von Hofen. 

A Frenchman, I 'd salute, 
And drink with him — I grant that Foch 

at Ypres 
Was a fighter — not these island swine. 

An Officer {half drunk, peering toward the 
distant firing line) . 
Oho! That was a great charge; reload! 
Fire! 

Von Hofen. 

More slaughter in the sacred cause of 

Power! 
Sugar-sticks of sentiment! Honor, 
National destiny, incantations. 
And the rest of it — cold-blooded kill- 
ing— 
That's what counts and all! War is life! 

Harrach. 

Peace is a loathsome jelly-fish. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 51 

Von Hofen. 

Prattling, 
Sermonizing suck the blood of men. 
Old fangled gospels do not bind us up. 
Treaties are the whims of weaker race. 
Shoot 'em down — that's government! 

Lieutenant. 

My orders, sir? 

Von Hofen. 

Eh? Give me that paper. 
We're slow in the Fatherland, but thor- 
ough. 

[^Pointing towards the trenches'] 

Took forty years to pile our gold for that. 

No scruples in preparedness, Harrach, 
eh? [Cheers'] 

To win in war, you've got to war in peace. 

We'll hack these holy places through and 
through. 

Star-flingers, pigmy priests — Bah ! dream- 
ers all! 

Prayers never see what's at their feet. 

A saint at war would be God's greatest 
idol. 



52 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

WeVe aliens in this strange old Flemish 

land, 
Our purpose for a place beneath the sun. 
Fight, tear down — believe in life and 

grow. [Cheers] 

[ They sing ''Deutchland Uber Alles"] 

Lieutenant. 

There's another force to westward! 

Von Hofen. 

Silence — drink! 
Feed the flame and care not what it burns! 

Harrach. 

Let nothing stand between us and our 

goal. 
The floor of Heaven bends beneath our 
tread. 

Von Hofen. 

These whining Belgians — sack of cities 

proof. 
Barking dogs and mewing cats — out all! 
Against the high supremacy of might, 
To expiate their treason to our cause. 

[Cheers] 
[Exeunt all but VON HOFEN, HarraCH, and 

Lieutenant] 



The Sublime Sacrifice 53 

Harrach. 

The world is overstocked with foolish 

brood; 
War's of eternal need for human kind. 

[Enter an ORDERLY who salutes'] 

Orderly. 

I have an English prisoner — an officer. 

Von Hofen. 

Oh! Excellent! Some dog has yielded 
then! 

Orderly. 

We caught him lurking near a farther 
trench. 

Von Hofen. 

Bring him in, where I can see the man. 
Slim — featureless — an empty ass, I'll 
bet. 

Orderly. 

He's blindfolded. 

Von Hofen. 

Keep him so — go! 

[Exit Orderly] 

[Looking toward the trenches with his field 

glass] 



54 T^he Sublime Sacrifice ' 

Shivery — shaky shots — whafs the mat- 
ter 
With you fellows? Take a steady aim. 

^Addressing LIEUTENANT] 

Your orders — fetch that woman from the 

Hospital. 
A comely nurse — your war bride, Har- 

rach, eh? 
Ach! Speak the naked truth this once. 
I'll pay her homage — she was surely 

game, 
As hard to capture as the wildest hare. 

Harrach. 

I wish 'twere so — she scorns my offer. 
My only gift is some small share of wit. 
My love and hate are balanced on the 
scale. 

Von HoFEN {striking his fist on the table) . 
Mein Gott! No odious English offspring 

here! 
Our breed expands not in such wretched 

stock. 
Distorted all your children's shapes 

would be. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 55 

A race of upstart creatures all of them. 
As far from love am I as moon from 
earth. 

l^Slyly and in lower tone] 

With terrors and these clamors all 

around, 
Flame her with lust and go you swift afar. 
Immeasurably, all things are Prussians* 

prey, 
The great and master force of modern 

age. 

Harrach. 

Pity chokes in our necessities. 

Von Hofen. 

Win the wench, contrary though she be. 

\^ A side to himself^ 

A toy that shines — a golden sheep to 
hang. 

\_Enter ORDERLY with prisoner walking erect, 
and blindfolded'] 

Von Hofen. 

Unbandage his eyes and let me see this 
man. 



56 The Sublime Sacrifice ' 

Harrach. 

Of all the common rogues — these are the 
worst. 

Sir John {to Von Hofen). 

I understand, sir, you're the General. 

Von Hofen. 

Christian crutches! Good German tongue 
he speaks. 

Harrach {roughly). 

I know their disposition well — salute, 
man! 

Von Hofen [going closer, breast out and 
curling his mustache) . 

Where is your main force? Out — out 

with it. 
We're here to teach you Kultur, fellow. 
Professing both of us, the love of peace, 
But English manners are intolerable. 

Sir John {politely). 

Cannot you see I'm suffering, General? 

Von Hofen. 

Give him a drink, men. Pardon me, sir. 
Our business, tho', is war — your main 
force where? 



The Sublime Sacrifice 57 

Sir John. 

I was dazed — I do not remember — my 
wound. 

Von Hofen. 

Search him. Understand we're always 

thorough. 
Safety nestles in the lap — our business — 

Sir John {interrupting him). 

Your business war — Oh! God, I wish 

it were! 
The thongs of war's true quality, I love. 
But! What is your war to-day — your 

culture? 
I'm your prisoner, men, — yet I'm going 

to speak! 
Not great armies meeting in the clash 
And frenzy of heroic single battle. 
Where bravery was the master of our fate, 
And valor was the victor on the field. 

[^Short pause~] 

Your war is on the sanctuaries, and 
The emblems of the silenced centuries. 
You come as wolves upon the innocent. 
In trepidation — homes so pitiful! 



58 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Harrach. 

Silence this man — dare such presump- 
tion here! 

Von Hofen. 

'Tis quite amusing — let him babble on. 

Sir John. 

This war — your war, is the flower of the 
Christian 

Race — torn and withered, hungry, bleed- 
ing, 

Up to its knees in icy water. This war 

Is fought in the dark. Eyes are used — 
but where? 

In aeroplanes o'er head — or periscopes 

Beneath the sea. Havoc upon the very 

Souls, that work to give your wounded 
succor. 

Are you not officers, — each of you with 
homes? 

In righting wrong, must you needs wrong 
the right? 

To make war frightful does not make it 
win. 

Did Bluecher fight this course at Water- 
loo, 



The Sublime Sacrifice 59 

In his great wake and tramping host 
through Belgium 

Then, did such afflictions mar her fertile 
plains? 

Did Bismarck war upon bereaved wo- 
men, 

Outrage their ministries and solemn 
rights? 

Did Frederick the Great — his flaming 
legionaries. 

Tear down the shrines of God's antiquity? 

Von Hofen. 

Herrgottsakrament! This man talks well, 

Enlivened by our Muenchner. War 

Is war, my fellow! Half restrained your 
country 

Now — her conquests round the tremb- 
ling world. 

Little right has she to criticize. 

The strife of glory — that we mean to 
win, 

And wave our fiery swords athwart to 
heaven. 

In solemn might break down your rule of 
seas. 



6o The Sublime Sacrifice ' 

Ach! I but return the compliment! 
I will parole you, Captain, here to-day; 
And question later. A great observer but 
I '11 trust you ! Come — come inside with 

me. 
What's odds between us — let's make 

equal there. 
An enemy's kindness oft exceeds a 

friend's. 

Sir John. 

I thank you, General — and I'll tend my 
wound. 

[Sir John and the General enter VON HOF- 
EN^S private tent^ 

Harrach. 

Here comes the girl — the joyfulnesswith 

which 
I flame — lucky for our wounded, she's 

with us. 
Her eyes are lights, as of the heaven 

opening; 
My passion will not sleep until it's sate. 
At last the cup for which my lips are 

parched. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 6i 

{Enter EdITH with HoRST] 

Edith (^^^r^jj/n^ Harrach). 
The General sent for me? 

\^Sudden increase in the 
distant din of battle~\ 

Harrach. 

He^s not here now. 

Edith {turning to go), 

I will return — the soldiers dying need 
me. 

[Pauses — murmurs half to herself — 
growing gradually intense, and 
looking towards the trenches'] 

Heaven's azure — how can you look upon 
This furnace-mouth of Chaos — flaming 

strife? 
Why does Thy Power not in sudden view 

appear? 
Perplexed am I to know Thy Toleration. 
Frightful — horrible war! Leaping fires 
Of human passions, frenzies, despairs and 

madnesses! 
Shattering lines, screaming shells, ranks 
Of flesh and blood — for what? In vain 

— in vain! 



62 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

Hear your victims wailing in the gloom. 
Monstrous harvest which ambition sows. 
^'Oh! God — water — water — my brow — 

my leg, 
My arms hang loose — I'm crushed." 

Those cries of mercy. 
Mangled hands and bloody wrists. Poor 

little 
Boys just out of school. "I thirst — Pm 

hurt — 
Vm blind — a horse has trampled on me. 

Help! Help! 
I die — curse all this — oh! mother! 

mother!" 
Then ^Wurse, for dear Christ's sake, put 

a bullet in my heart." 

Harrach. 

Waste not your passion more on war than 

love, 
Though such venom from your lips is 

sweetest breath. 

^Approaching her'] 

Frown not upon me with those glaring 
eyes. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 63 

Change your moanings into loving glance. 
[^Tenderly'] 

Fraulein — did you read the verses I sent 
you? 

Their mood of kindness and their truth- 
ful words? 

Edith ( ign ring him). 

Tell the General I'll return anon. 

Harrach. 

'Tis adoration draws me closer still. 
You're linked to all the stars, and one 

with God, 
Let this nursing go — and come with me. 

Edith. 

Talk less of stars, and tend your manners 
more, 

I obey my duty, not you. Captain Har- 
rach. 

Harrach. 

Our fate was made before our days were 

made. 
You are my dawn — my soul is like the 

field. 



64 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

Edith. 

Sir, — have at least for me the grace of 
silence. 

Harrach. 

You will have me exiled from the Father- 
land. 
But I love you, Edith, and I want you — 

Edith {scornfully). 

How dare a Prussian talk to me of love? 
I breathe my curses deep upon you all. 

Harrach. 

No whit inferior — 1^1 have you, Edith 

— soul 
And heart and lips and dazzling eyes, 
Gott — 

\^He attempts to kiss EdITH — she slaps 
him across the face^ 

Edith. 

To all you brutes — leave legacies as 
those. 

Harrach {half -angrily) . 

A stroke in jest may oft prove grave, 

Fraulein ; 
Affections wounded scar to skins of 

hate — 



The Sublime Sacrifice 65 

Edith. 

All vilest scars — the skins of Huns to me ! 

Harrach. 

For your own sake be just a little wise. 
The ear to love without an answer — yes, 
Does not demand return of tenderness. 

Edith. 

Silence, fool — clown — scuttling spider! 

Harrach. 

It's not well — you chide me thus. I 

could 
Forget — expose your crafty methods 

here, 
Of aiding prisoners to escape our lines. 
The safer course of things may go to 

wrong. 

Edith {aside to herself). 

My God! Alone in such a camp — one 

woman! 
'Mid all these blasts of changing fates 

exposed ! 

Harrach. 

Better the briefest human dreams, than all 



66 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Eternal law. Mingled perfumes, — 

Sweet, 
Do not scorn me — give those lips to kiss, 
Immortality's between the rims, 

[Sir John comes out of Von Hofen's 

tent^ 

To-night and you and this — one endless 

night! 
In balms, and dews and darknesses and 

dreams ! 

[Harrach pulls Edith to him — she 
struggles. Sir John rushes up and 

throws Harrach aside, Edith and 

Sir John recognize each other~\ 

Edith. 

John! You here? Oh! Touch me! 

Touch me! that 
I know it's true — these depths of woe 

upon 
Our lives; my trust has been in God — 

rewarded. 

Sir John (passionately) . 

Edith — my little Edith? My beloved! 



The Sublime Sacrifice 67 

HARRACH {maliciously). 

Rose-flush, rare azure and fairy face! 
Better that this lovely form be shattered, 
Than, that another sun should look upon 
it. 

Edith. 

To meet you here — ah! happy yet cruel 

chance! 
Together we may find the door of hope. 

Sir John. 

From fallen sunsets to diviner wakening 
Dawns. The greatest hope is of Love's 
giving! 

Harrach. 

Break off this English blasphemy. 

Enough! 
You, man, have struck a German officer. 
A better prisoner's life for such a stroke. 

Edith. 

Oh! My brain, my misery, my love! 
When powerless the frail estate of human 
Things, then most, ah, most are they es- 
teemed ! 

[Enter VON HOFEN] 



68 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Von Hofen {loudly). 

What's this rumpus, Harrach? Shadowy 
faces 

Conjured within the realm of my com- 
mand. 

No defiance here, my Englishman. 

Sir John. 

I would protect a woman, sir, whether 
It shakes pestilence, anger, war, or death. 

Von Hofen [gazes inquiringly at them all), 
[Addresses EdiTH] 
You have attractive graces, lady, tell me? 

Edith. 

General — ill deeds make fair ones shine. 

War-flung, or in the calmest shades of 
peace. 

Captain Harrach insulted me — your 
prisoner 

There — an old dear friend of mine pro- 
tected 

Me — that's all. 

Von Hofen (getting angrier) . 

Britisher — respect 
You have for your parole. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 69 

Sir John. 

Respect for women 
More. Would chastity in them be but a 
name? 

Von Hofen. 

Bah! these arguments. Harrach take 

Your wench. Appealing sweet before 
my eyes 

Those wide blue founts a-flush me with 
delight. 

Such trifles make the sum of nature's cun- 
ning. [Exit Von Hofen] 

Edith {looking at Harrach). 

The mind is maimed by its own will 

whereof 
The deed becomes perverse — destroys all 
reason. 

Harrach {seizing Edith by the wrist). 
There is no gift that is too poor to give, 
If love be in the offering. Be large 
Enough to let forgiveness in. Alike 
A day will dawn when you may seek for- 
bearance. 

[Edith snatches her arm away from 



yo The Sublime Sacrifice - 

HarraCH and moves quickly towards 

Sir John. Harrach follows her] 

These are the fights of blood and joy and 

men! 
I advise you now to come, my dolly. 'Tis 

strange 
How many prisoners have escaped by 

tunnels. 
The eyes of Prussians always are awake. 
Your death is sweeter than my misery. 

Sir John (startled). 

What means this man, my Edith? 

Harrach (scornfully). 

A spy, that's all! 

Sir John (furiously). 

Youjvvolf — you hound, you Hun, up- 
sprung from Hell, 

You crime-begetter — drenched in wo- 
men's blood. 

Withdraw those words! 

Harrach. 

Still more to come — still more! 
Monarch over all, unrivalled lord, su- 
preme. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 71 

Prussia does not bandy phrase with 

Britain; 
Her yellow troops and Afric cannibals — 
Sheiks and Sengalese and Khans and 

Czar. 

\^He rushes to the table, picks up a 
sword and hands it to SiR JOHN] 

Man, cross swords with me. In guard! 
You'll not an evening sleep again in life. 
By — by the curse of Hell, you die! 

Edith. 

Oh! retribution dire — the fault's all 

mine ! 
Blessed Virgin, help me — I dare not 

look! 

Sir John {as they parry and fight). 

So you will teach us dreadful Kultur, 

will you? 
The world and nothing more — take care, 

you Hun. 
What now? A hit — not much! 
You should taste my boot and not good 

steel. 



72 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

Harrach. 

Your Red Cross wench will be my 
mournful bride! 

Edith. 

Unpitied end — all to honor tends! 

Sir John. 

In Hell you'll tie some marriage knot! 
By the soul of Queen Victoria — there? 

[Sir John stabs Harrach fatally, who 

falls as the soldiers, officers, and VON 
HOFEN rush in] 

Von HofEN (roaringly). 

Attention! Orders! Enchain that man 

— the woman 
Too! Ten thousand Satans — wounded 
Harrach? 

[To Sir John] 

Hang it in the clouds, you'll answer for 
this. 

[To Edith] 

Shells! Fool fire of love and lust! Wench! 
Your lips of beauty ne'er shall say — to- 
morrow. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 73 

Edith. 

Deeds in themselves are law, when they 

are done. 
For anything, this moment now consoles. 

Harrach. 

Karl — I'm done for! But a word. E'er 
I leave our field for wake of solemn stars. 

{Pointing to EdiTH] 

The frailest stem has strength to push 

through stones. 
Partial to that woman — 'gainst my duty — 
Vain passion — the false philosophy of 

love, 
Pleasing sorcery. She's an active spy! 
Some hundred prisoners have escaped 

our lines. 
The Red Cross flag — she used it as a 

shield. 
Record — proof of it all — is in my tent. 
Upon my honor, that led unto this. 

[Falls backward into the arms of LIEU- 
TENANT HORST] 

May Hell's infernal rivers burn the Eng- 
lish, 



74 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

While Prussia's torrent fire flames up the 

earth. 
On to Calais — Paris — London! 
Ghostly — grows — the sun — Fatherland 

— Salute! ^Dies'] 

Von Hofen. 

There lies a soldier — mourn him, men. 
Star-strewn along the hills and o'er the 

sea, 
His shining armor rises up to Mars, 
In glory of his fate and splendid deeds. 
The unwritten laws of God are German 

Scrip, 
To live forever — nor can man assign, 
> Or else the world to bear the penalty. 
Justice, force, and vengeance — reek you 

here 
In swifts of cunning, or at any cost. 
There is one great throne and powered 

sovereignty. 
The earth is half won — but we'll win 

it all! 

[Turning and giving orders to HORST] 
Send that pair to Brussels for their ends. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 75 

The one for murder — the other espion- 
age. 
Most evil at its birth is easily crushed. 

\_Sits down and writes out the order^ 

Here become our highest holy rites. 
Forward — a few more trenches take o'er 
night. 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 



ACT III 

Time — Autumn, 191 5. 

Place — Brussels, Belgium. 
Late in the evening. 

Scene i : 

Official quarters in the residence of Baron Freiderick 
Von der Achen, the Military Governor of Brussels, 
A large spacious, but somber room — walls covered 
with military maps, plans of campaign, captured 
flags, etc. The Baron is seen in full military uni- 
form sitting at his desk looking over volumes of 
packages, documents, letters and telegrams. 

Von der Achen {to himself). 

Victory on every front. Soon 

Will we have homes for the expanding of 

Our breed. War loan promotions — all 
in vain. 

Powder-mixers — boasts of starving us. 

Our Army — submarines will bend them 
low. 

God invested in our mighty cause; 

World-Powered stock — with us incor- 
porators. 



8o The Sublime Sacrifice 

[Enter AlDE saluting] 

Aide. 

Excellency — the Spanish and American 

Ministers 
Would see you on important business; 
Both await your pleasure. 

Von der Achen. 

Show them in. 

[Exit Aide] 

[Enter AMERICAN and SPANISH MIN- 
ISTERS, who salute and shake hands 

with Von DER Achen] 

American Minister. 

Sir — we come on a mission of clemency. 

[Von der Achen bows assent and ap- 
points them each to a chair near his 
desk] 

We hear that Edith Vernon is to die. 

Von der Achen {coldly) . 

Right — e'er sunrise tomorrow morn. 

Maturest 
Deliberation, but imperative; 
The woman and her so-called lover, too. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 8i 

Spanish Minister. 

We would plead for him — for her we 
must have mercy. 

VONDERAchEN {very positively). 

All phases were presented — the trial was 

just. 
The Emperor himself could not have in- 
intervened. 
I can grant no hearing in the other's case. 

American Minister {hopefully). 

She's a woman — mitigate such discipline, 
Oft unseasoned though it seems in justice. 

Von der Achen. 

Sirs — I appreciate those sentiments; 

But no criminal code in all the world, 

Least that of war — makes such distinc- 
tion. 

In the premeditation lies the crime; 

The phantasma like in brain of man or 
woman, 

The genius and the injury are the same; 

The punishment in like wise should be 
equal. 

Among our Russian prisoners many wo- 
men 



82 The Sublime Sacrifice ' 

We found in man's attire. Had these 
girls fallen, 

Would we have been accused of barbar- 
ism? 

Why now, another woman meets her 
death, 

To which she knowingly exposed herself, 

As did her Slavic comrades there in 
battle. 

American Minister. 

My plea — she acted with the highest 

motives ; 
Such actions should be met with mercy 

higher. 

Spanish Minister. 

To think else, in truth, would be but cold 
pretense. 

Von DER AcheN {slightly irritated), 

I beg your pardon, sirs — there are mo- 
ments in 
The fate of nations, when consideration 
Of an individual, therein. 
Is crime imbedded in those nations' lives. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 83 

\_More quietly^ 

In her condemned the motives were not 

base, 
And sprung from lofty patriotism, I ad- 
mit 
To seal that patriotism then with blood 
In faces of the enemy, there in battle. 
Is no more of cause and nobler duty, sirs. 
Than deeds that bring them justly death, 
as here. 

American Minister {disconcerted). 

Is there no way? Friendly nations both 
And much for Germany we each have 
done. 

Von DER Achen {positively but with regret) . 
I cannot commute the sentence. Any- 
thing — 

\^Enter BARONESS excitedly^ 

Baroness. 

Oh! Fritz I What about this English 

nurse? 
Choose not women for the waste of war. 
She lies amid my tears and many fates, 



84 The Sublime Sacrifice - 

And long years for ourselves most full of 

pain. 
She must not die — I had a dreadful 

dream 
As Pontius Pilate's wife — be merciful! 

Spanish Minister {bowing to the Baroness) . 
That is our cause and what we plead, 
Sefiora. 

Baroness. 

Remorse of conscience is akin to Hell, 
By victory, change or time not comforted ! 

VONDERACHEN {impatiently). 

An effect of humor, my dear. Military 
Necessity ill affords to heed your dreams. 

Baroness. 

Grant then, she see her lover e'er she dies. 

American Minister {eagerly). 

'Twould be a kindred favor to my State. 
My hand for that, I feel you'll not refuse 
it 

Baroness {positively). 

That, at least, you shall do, Fritz, and lift 
In part a whirling darkness from your 
soul. 



The Sublime Sacrifice 85 

Von der Achen. 

America — Spain — conjugal majesty ! 

[^Hesitates — goes out of the room for a 
moment and is seen consulting with 
aide~\ 

Von der Achen. 

I grant it, gentlemen. An hour e'er 
The execution's set — in her cell 
Alone — the guards and chaplain near 
without. 

\_The Ministers thank him, while the 
Baroness places her hand on his 
shoulder and kisses him^ 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Scene 2 



ACT III 

Scene 2 : 

Death cell in the Military Prison of Brussels. 
Small heavily barred window — letting in the last 
flood-light of a waning moon, before the first streaks 
of dawn. Within, a small table and bed against 
which Edith is seen kneeling in prayer. 
The tramp of the heavy prison guards is heard at 
regular intervals. 

Edith. 

Into thy hands, Oh! Lord, — I commend 

my spirit! 
In the Name of the Father, the Son and 

the Holy Ghost, Amen. 

[Edith crosses herself, rises from the 
side of the bed and glances up at the 
window~\ 

So still! Nothing wakes as yet except 
The watchful stars, perhaps too, — full of 

grief 
Hiding their pain, behind the pallid 
moon. 

\^She clasps one of the window bars and 
gazes intently at the stars^ 



90 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Yon olden jewels, lightning inner glooms, 
How many things you know and never 

tell! 
I ask you why such a silence holds the 

earth? [^Sighs deeply'] 

My life will set with the rising sun, and 

day 
Will drop her golden mantle on my name. 

\^She turns and approaches the table] 
Slow ages swirl beneath me, one by one. 
In sense of opening and unfolding things. 
The vision of my childhood steals on me. 

[^She picks up a small picture of her 
sister, commences to sob and laugh 
hysterically, and moves backwards 
towards the window] 

"Tiny! Tiny! Come to the play- room, 
dear, 

To our toys — and baby dolls and fairy 
tales!" 

We are playing — singing — romping — 
laughing — "Close 

Your eyes — quick — quick! Sister's hid- 
ing — find her!" 



The Sublime Sacrifice 91 

Little joys — innocence — smaller tri- 
umphs! 

*^Mother says, we must write to Santa 
Claus! 

Daddy has promised a new ghost story 
tonight!" 

\^More calmly^ 

The unrelenting world, I knew not then, 
But lived I on, with fear in confidence. 
And sacred trust, by equal trust all 

shared. 
What have these later years, since then 

revealed 
All unexpected — therefore, sadder still? 

Oh! 
Let me forget — make me forget a while. 
Since it is all so far, so far away! 
And I must watch it ebb to Time's great 

seal 

\_She dries her eyes with her handker- 
chief^ 

Astray is a cold strange splendor now. 
Twice desolate, this night and coming 
day! 



92 The Sublime Sacrifice 

My soul creeps and climbs, falters and is 

sped. 
Wherein so long this deed may chime 

with word, 
Who hath some tears, may pay me pity's 

debt! 

[^She lights an old lamp^ 
Two-thirds of life, the wise men say, is to 

have grieved! 
What am I, really, — was I ever after all? 
Seeing eyes, feeling nerves, memoried 
Mind — this tragedy of nothingness. 
The being I am, I own, possess — possess! 
As is the cause of all and each a thing, 
Felt like a fire, to kindle and go out. 
So life in its greatest loveliness is no 
Possession — forgetful we be of our end. 

\^A knock^ 

Voice from without. 
My child! 

Edith. 

The Chaplain's voice! 

[Rattle of keys. Enter a priest^ 
[As he approaches her~\ 

Father! Father! 



The Sublime Sacrifice 93 

The Priest. 

Courage — my child — in death is life be- 
yond! 

Edith. 

Does the world still scoff at me — deny 

me now? 
Life's cup of Happiness we hold so high, 
Who knows but to exist and how to die ! 

The Priest. 
Courage! 

[Edith kneels down as he hears the 
whispered confession and adminis- 
ters the Sacrament^ 

Edith {slowly rising) . 

God in reward for separations lived, — 
Clearly, do I see it now — clearly! 
Takes us to Him for all eternity. 
I have full self-reliance and the strength! 

The Priest. 

The Sacrament of Christ is perfect peace. 
Walk in its light, there is no darkness 

now. 
A little later — I'll return, my child! 

[Exit The Priest] 



94 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Edith. 

God's miracle doth urge within my soul, 
And yet — for one sweet day in England! 
Home! 

[^She sits down and commences to write 
a letter, murmuring as she writes^ 

Mother, my beloved, and Margaret, 
dear. 

If ever you receive this letter, know 

Your little Edith's then in heaven; 

Across the pearled threshold to our 
father. 

For the same just cause to nobler con- 
summation. 

Greater peace — greater service — greater 
glory. 

Perhaps already father knows I 'm com- 
ing, 

Mid the thousands and the millions that 
have fallen. 

Light issues forth amid this darkness 
rayed 

In gold, and flaming arms to meet the 
Saints; 

Life everlasting in its essence, there with 



The Sublime Sacrifice 95 

Him — . We'll think of you tonight in 

sacred 
Tenderness — consoling reassurance 
Well remembered — soon all to be to- 
gether. 
John goes with me into Paradise, 
Brave to the end, my husband there afar. 
[^Pauses and continues writing] 

I have no fear in death. I have touched 
and tasted 

It these weeks, in all its fears and horrors ; 

Mine so infinite in lesser kind. 

Standing, rising to a higher crown. 

All dread removed — proportions meet 

Upgrown in preface for diviner things. 

The Sacrament received — is death de- 
nounced, 

I, half human in that Godly Grace. 

Farewell, sweet Margaret — safest is your 
life 

With mother. Pious sorrow, her's con- 
soled 

In giving much she had to Christian 
cause. 

Farewell! Beloved, mother mine. One 
short 



96 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Hour 'twixt me — eternal peace. 

With deepest love and reverence in my 
heart, 

I clasp you close in spirit, gentle face, 

Its regal lustre bear to immortality. 

Good-bye — your loving daughter — sis- 
ter — Edith. 

\_A knock is heard at the cell door~\ 

Edith (startled). 

The hour — ah! No — as yet not time! 
Courage my soul for what must come this 

dawn. 
All ties of mortal sweetness fly away; 
I dread this strangeness — yet I fear it 

not. 

[Another knock~\ 



Voice from without. 
A visitor — 



[Edith approaches the 
door as it is pushed 
open. Enter SmJOUN 
— leaving the guards 
without^ 



The Sublime Sacrifice 97 

Sir John {clasping Edith, who falls almost 

fainting into his arms), 

Edith! My love! My 
love ! 

\^A long pause"] 
[With desperate appeal] 

Oh ! Jesus ! Son of His Eternal Mercy, 
First and last in midst and without end. 
Why hast Thou so forsaken her — Thy 
child? 

Edith {recovering herself and smiling). 

They could not keep the bars between our 
hearts! 

[^Pressing his arms tightly about her 
neck] 

Past effacing — future wak'ning — all my 

joy! 
You stand to me — soul enjoined to soul. 
I love — adore you — past all bar of 

birth! 

Sir John. 

Oh! Agony supreme! 



98 The Sublime Sacrifice 

Edith. 

So dark and yet 
I suffer not. 

The music's done — the torch's 
Out — sweet our deaths in spectres end- 
ing. 

Edith {looking up at the window, — first 
streaks of dawn seen). 

Another morning smiles upon the world. 
No one I blame behind — not even them. 

\^Points towards the door as the guards 
are heard passing^ 

[^Turning again to SiR JOHN] 

Look in my eyes — alas! A long fare- 
well! 

Closer and ah! with strong arms — shel- 
ter me. 

Sir John {drawing her passionately to him). 

Still closer, my beloved — as sleeping 
thus ! 

Both our fates are sealed within the hour 

At different places. Parted for an in- 
stant, 

Then in strains of solemn raptures high, 



The Sublime Sacrifice 99 

Shall we commingle in eternity. 

\^A pause then with sudden doubt in his 
voice approaching almost to bitter- 
ness^ 

Yet my mortal troth — even for a moment, 
Doubting heirs to immortality, — 

Edith. 

Not for an instant, dear — the dawn- 
lights lengthen — 

Sir John. 

What use that I pretend to hide the fear? 
They say that when a life is done — 'tis 

done. 
Away these forms, imaginations, airy 

shapes, 
Joining or disjoining life to death! 

[fVildly] 

What certitude have I — your heaven 

there. 
This sleep unspanned, those draughts of 

love unknown? 
Here! Here! I know! I know! That 

you are mine! 



lOO The Sublime Sacrifice 

Your soul, your works, your touch, your 

hands, your breasts. 
The splendid tragic beauty of your face, 
That pale perfection of Love's mastery, 
O'er blood that leaps to tunes your senses 

sing. 

Edith {calming him) . 

Those things, trifles, John, — so much 

more to be. 
Joyous, softly calm, I feel near you. 

Think 
This morning we will be with God above. 

Sir John. 

Theories ill-disguised — we do not know! 

Edith. 

Together there we fly on open wings. 

Sir John. 

Dreams — o'er-whelming contradictions 
— all! 

Edith. 

Reason cannot through Faith's mysteries 

see. 
Angels now prepare our nuptial feast; 
This longing in our spirits to upspeed. 



The Sublime Sacrifice loi 

To all their songs and lights and deathless 
loves. 

Sir John. 

Your faith — so pure and great and unde- 
filed! 

Edith. 

I learn my peace from Him, who knows 
our love! 

And that immortal ne'er can be trans- 
posed, 

Nor take addition nor encounter loss. 

Sir John. 

The sting! The sting! The frailty! 
My love! 

As divined afar in star-dust, so we die! 

Forgive me, Edith, my soul's asunder 
torn. 

Cross counseling in the blackest insurrec- 
tion. 

The world's not worthy of your sacrifice; 

All ungrateful, unpitying — unreprieved, 

Erewhile perplexed this be the Godly 
Will. 

The day arises and the hour's prime. 



I02 The Sublime Sacrifice 

With strength in me, why should I let 

you die? 
I — 

Edith {interrupting him). 

Could not love and live without you, 
John. 
In that decree is all your logic false; 
My love decreed — is, therein, loving 
death. 

[With great 5tre5s'\ 

Whatever fame we've done our Eng- 
land's cause. 

Let justice in our aftermath prove title. 

So much — no more, but so. The loftier 
quest's 

At hand. A tiny bridge 'twixt two 
eternities. 

That from which we traveled — this to- 
wards which 

We go. Our little tarrying place is 
ended. 

[A knock] 
[She draws forth a cross from her breast] 

Look upon this Cross and pray, my bride- 
groom ! 



The Sublime Sacrifice 103 

Past griefs and shadows all there fade, 
Its light through love to give us victory. 

Sir John. 

You shall not die — I will not let you go! 

\^The guards enter — chaplain seen 
without. Edith and John stand 
in one long embrace. She holds the 
cross high in the air as the guards 
lead them to the door'] 

Edith. 

Forward, my beloved, to Paradise! 
Across the portal ending mortals' pain! 

*ii£. 2i£, iie. ^ iic. 

^ vjv yjv ^ vjv 

[Stage is totally darkened for period 
long enough to change settings] 

Scene 3 : 

(Tableau), 

[Early dawn in Brussels Prison Yard, 
Edith is seen standing calm and 
erect and blindfolded before the 
Prussian firing squad] 

FINIS 






M 



4° 



J-'BRARY OF CONGRESS 

018 407 639 1 ^j 



